From doing small but significant roles to reaching a point where lead roles are being written with him in mind, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has come a long way. Not only has he proven his mettle as an actor on Indian shores, but now he is looking forward to an American film (Laxman Lopez, directed by Roberto Girault) where he is the protagonist. The actor says that he had sworn not to do a foreign movie unless he was offered a leading part. In a chat, he talks about his work, roles, working with women directors and more. Excerpts:

Talking about the kind of roles he has done over the years, Nawaz says, “In my career in this industry, I have worked in many films where I did small roles. And I am done with that. Ab toh aap mujhe 25 crore denge toh bhi main chhota role nahi karunga. I feel that money and fame are just by-products of your work. If you just do your job well, money and fame will run after you. If you chase them, you will never find them, so just keep doing good work.”

Nawaz says, “We sometimes chase money and fame all our lives and get nothing. I believe that khudi ko itna enhance kar lo, khud ko aisa bana lo ki money aur fame aapke ghulam ban jaaye aur aap ke peeche bhaage.”

Nawaz has played many challenging characters in the last decade, and when asked about what has been his most challenging role to date, he says, “It depends on you actually — what are the kinds of roles you are choosing and where are you taking that — kis mukam pe pahuchatein hain aap usse. In every single role, an actor has the ability to make the character very special. And the same character can be played poorly by another actor. So, I feel that it all depends on the actor. I try to ensure that every single character I play is special — that is all I strive for every day.”

Actors going behind the camera has been a trend, but Nawaz has no such plans. “I only know how to act. Bas yeh ek hi cheez mere se ho jaaye toh kaafi hai,” he shares.

The actor has worked with several women directors in his career and has an interesting point of view on it. He says, “For me, the director is just that, ‘the director’. I never look at a director as male or female. In my career, I have worked the most with female directors and I have never felt anything different or given it a thought. Art is important and is not dependent on them being male or female, art kisi ki mauhtaj nahi hoti. Of course, a woman’s perception is different, uska dekhne ka nazariya bahut hi khubsoorat hota hai. The way a woman sees the world is beautiful and that is something that I get a glimpse of when I work with a woman director.”

While talent doesn’t always translate into stardom, Nawaz believes everyone gets their due. “I am from a small village, but here I am talking to you,” he says, adding, “I truly believe that everyone in this world gets their due. If there is talent, nothing can stop you from getting your due. Aaj nahi toh kal you will definitely get what you deserve.”